Extensible chair-table unit



June 7, 1966 8. 51x55 3,254,916

EXTENSIBLE CHAIR-TABLE UNIT Filed March 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

INVENTOR. SIDNEY 5 455 A EMT June 7, 1966 s. BASS EXTENSIBLE CHAIR-TABLE UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1965 INVENTOR.

SIDNEY 5 Ass United States Patent 3,254,916 EXTENSIBLE CHAIR-TABLE UNIT Sidney Bass, 10751 Missouri Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Mar. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 443,273 7 Claims. (Cl. 297-140) This invention relates to comfortable furniture and is particularly concerned with a table or the like from which a chair or similar seat is extensible, it being a general object of this invention to provide an end table unit which is convertible into a seating unit and which in any case is conventional in every respect so as to be adaptable to furnishings of all types as circumstances require.

The prior art provides various disappearing tables, ironing boards and bench-type seats, but there is unfilled need for a practical unit of comfortable furniture wherein a chair or the like is retractably extensible from a low profile table type of unit. In referring to a chair reference is made to an article defined as a seat with a back and with or without arms, and such a chair. is to be distinguished from the more primitive furnishings known as stools and benches which do not have backs and arms. Further, bread-board type of extensible elements which pull out of furniture are not adaptable to the provision of comfortable furniture since space for a back and/or cushions is lacking, and strength and/or balance for the support of persons is also lacking. Thus, consideration is to be given to the upholstering and to weights and balance as related to both the chair and furniture unit from which it is extensible.

An object of this invention is to provide apiece of furniture in the nature of an end table and from which a chair is retractably extensible. With the present invention the chair is adapted to be extended in a direction normal to the frontal disposition of the table, in which case the chair is right-angularly related to seating that may be disposed at the side of said table. Specifically, reference is made to a sofa (divan) and end table arrangement wherein the said end table is placed at one end of said sofa and wherein the chair is extensible so as to face at a right angle to the facement of the said sofa. There fore, the present invention is advantageously made in right and/or left hand units and to the end that both L and U shaped furniture formations are devised.

Another object of this invention is to provide a furniture unit of the character thus far referred to wherein a collapsible chair is extensible from within a table, provision being made for both legs and a back and also for cushioning as well as for springing. With the present invention the seat and back are upholstered with cushions of substantial depth and which fold into engagement with each other so as to occupy a minimum of space for storage within a table top of unobtrusive depth.

It isstill another object to provide a unit or units of hardware for a retractably extensible chair of the character referred to, and specifically; one unit of hardware for an upholstered chair and one unit of hardware for an overstuffed chair.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the chair extended from the table. FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the chair of the present invention retracted into the table. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 3-3 on FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4; 5 and 6 are detailed views showing the hardware comprising the first form of the invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing the mechanism as it is positioned in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the retractile leg means as shown in FIG 4, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially as. indicated by line 66 on FIG. 4.

The extensible chair-type unit that I provide is unique in its comfortableness and capability of conversion from an end table of conventional appearance to a combination end table and seating unit whereby a sturdy chair is erected. A characteristic feature of this convertible furniture unit is its capability of seating persons in positions conducive to giving attention one to the other, respectively, and therefore, the right angular relationship of the chair to the seating disposition at the side of the instant unit is important. Further, the structure hereinafter disclosed is compact and without frailities, being a sturdy and dependable mechanism which lends itself to many styles of furnishings, the styles being accomplished by the application of various woods, or other suitable materials, in the formation and/ or proportions desired. In the drawings I have shown a general form of the present invention wherein; a retractably extensible upholstered chair is drawn from a table.

The table T is the apparent piece of furniture which is useable conventionally as an end table, or at the end of a sofa S foi example. As shown, this type of furniture is low in profile, in that it normally stands to the approximate height of the adjacent seating or sofa S. Therefore, such a table T is ordinarily disposed at 'an elevation corresponding to the required height for a seat and which lends itself nicely to the accommodation therein of the chair mechanism that I provide. In the case illustrated the table T involves a top 10 supported by depending legs 11 and at each of its four corners, there being side rails 12 extending between the front and back legs and there being a back rail 13 extending between the back legs. In accordance with the invention the table, beneath the top 10, is open between the front legs, being closed by a part of the chair, and'which part forms the front of said table.

Referring specifically to the hardware involved in carrying out the invention, there is provided, generally, a support means A, a frame B retractably and extensibly carried by the support means, a retractile leg means C for erection when the frame B is extended, and a back D also for erection when the frame B is extended. The said ele ments A-D comprise a unit of hardware in the form of a mechanism which can be built into furniture of various designs.

The support means A is provided to be installed within the framework of a table of the type hereinabove described wherein there are side rails 12. In the table illustrated the rails 12 are of substantial depth (four or five inches for example) with the support A in the form of inwardly opening channels disposed in a common horizontal plane located at the lower margin of the side rails 12 and Within the table T, so as to present opposite upper and lower guide flanges 15 and 16. The bottoms 17 of the two channels are screwed or otherwise fastened to the side rails 12 of the table, this being the only required fastening of thechair mechanism to the table T. The said channels can include suitable stop lugs, as is common practice, to limit the travel of the frame B by engaging a part thereon, as is indicated in the drawings.

The frame B is provided to move between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the support means A, to be carried by the said support in a stored position and in a seating position, respectively. The frame B is a rectangular structure having parallel front and back runners 20 and 21 held in spaced relationship by spreaders 22 and 23. In its preferred construction the frame B is made of angular sections having top flanges in a common plane and having vertically disposed and depending side flanges. Such a frame is readily manufactured and can be rigidly secured together at each corner as by welding. The runners 20 and 21 are con fined to slide within the spaced rails and 16, and the frame B is of a length to be accommodated within or between the front and back legs of the table T.

The frame B is provided primarily as a seat and in accordance with the invention includes means vto provide comfortable springing for the support of a cushion. To this end the frame has an intermediate spreader 24, preferably an angle section the same as spreaders 22 and 23, superimposed upon the top flanges of the opposite and parallel runners and 21. As shown, the spreader 24 thus has a vertical flange that extends between the front and back runners of the frame, and which is provided to carry a closure 26 between the front legs of the table T when the frame B is extended. With the frame as shown and described there are straps 27 and 28 stretched between the front and back runners 20 and 21 and between side spreaders 22 and 24, respectively. These straps 27 and 28 are of heavy elastic, or the like, interwoven as shown so as to provide a spring support that is depressible from the plane in which said straps are stretched.

The retractile leg means C is provided to be erected for support of the frame B when extended to the seat position as shown in FIG. 1. As best illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the means C involves a plate 30, front and back brackets 31 and 32, and a leg or legs 33 hingedly connected to the front and back ends of the plate 30. The plate 30 complements both the table T and the chair, being the carrier for a facer 36 comparable to the closure 26 above described. The facer 36 is a rail-like part that is proportioned the same as the rails 12 and 13 of the table T, and it provides a closure between the front legs of table T when the frame B is retracted.

The brackets 31 and 32 are right and left hand parts spaced so as to occur at the insides of the vertical flanges of the runners 20 and 21, and the brackets project at right angles to the plate 30. In accordance with the invention the said brackets are notched at 34 so as to receive the depending flanges of the spreader 22, whereby the leg means C, as a unit, is keyed in working position on the frame B. In practice the retractile leg means C can be -welded in place on the frame B. The legs 33 can be hinged to the plate 30 in various manners and as shown there are two legs projecting from a common supporting bar 35 which is hinged, as by a piano type hinge, to the lowermost edge of the plate 30. A detent spring 37 is provided to secure the bar 35 in both the up and down positions shown, for frictional engagement with the ends of the said bar which are opposed to said brackets that carry said springs 37. The said legs 33 are parallel and pivot in unison to engage a stop 35', and when retracted they lie between the depending side flanges of the runners 20 and 21.

The back D is provided to be erected at the back runner 21 and in accordance with the invention is movable between a retractile position disposed in spaced parallel relationship over the frame B and an erected position disposed substantially vertically at the back runner 21. The back D involves a frame, like the frame B, with straps 27' and 28' like those above described. The said back comprises, therefore, side members 40 and 41 with transverse spreaders 42 and 43. The lowermost portion of back D extends between the above described spreaders 22 and 24 where it is hinged by pins 44, the axis of said pins being upward and inward of the runner 21 so that the back retracts inwardly from the table side rail 12 and so as to clear the channel of support A (see FIG. 3).

With the hardware construction as above described it is a simple matter to install the support A within the table T as shown, and in addition the cushions 45 and 46 are installed on the frame B and back D, respectively. The said cushions are preferably contoured so that the said cushion 45 is of maximum depth beneath the knees and so that the back cushion 46 is of maximum depth behind the buttocks. Thus, the two cushions are oppositely contoured and rest together in face to face engagement when stored as shown in FIG. 3.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a rugged furniture structure is provided wherein the hardware is practical to make and easily incorporated in furniture of various designs. It is a simple matter to withdraw the chair elements from within the confines of the table T, and to extend the legs 33 into a depending position whereupon height can be applied to the chair in the usual manner without adverse effect on the table. Then, with the chair structure extended the back D is erected by revolvement of the same on the pins 44 to a stopped position where the lower spreader 43 rests securely upon the runner 21. When storing of the chair is desired it is then a simple matter to turn down the back D and to lift the legs 33, whereupon the chair is prepared for retraction and disappears inconspicuously within the unit of furniture provided to receive the same.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but

,wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seat height top, and including:

(a) a horizontally disposed support means carried beneath said top;

(b) a frame slideably engaged with the support means to move forwardly from a position underlying the top to a position extending from the top and having a front disposed right angularly with respect to the first mentioned front of the unit of furniture;

(0) a back carried by the frame and shiftable to move from a storage position overlying the extensible portion of the frame to an erected position parallel to the front of the frame and projecting upward at one side of the frame right angularly disposed with respect to the front of the unit of furniture;

(d) and retractile leg means selectively depended from and to support the sideof the extended portion of the frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of 'the frame.

2. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seat height top and a pair of depending sides, and including:

(a) a horizontally disposed support means carried beneath said top;

(b) a frame slideably engaged with the support means to move forwardly from a position underlying the top and having a front disposed right angularly with respect to the first mentioned front of the. unit of furniture and carrying a retractile closure extending between the sides of the unit of furniture, and said frame :being extensible to a position displaced laterally from the top;

(c) a back carried by the frame and shiftable to move from a storage position overlying the extensible portion of the frame to an erected position parallel to the front of the frame and projecting upward at one side of the frame right angularly disposed with respect to the' front of the unit of furniture;

(d) and retractile leg means selectively depended from and to support the side of the extended portion of the frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of the frame.

3. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seat height top, and including:

(a) a pair of spaced horizontally disposed and parallel guide flanges disposed in a common plane beneath said top;

(b) a frame with spaced and parallel runners slideably engaged with said guide flanges respectively, to move forwardly from a position underlying the top to a position extending from the top and having a front disposed right angularly with respect to the first mentioned front of the unit of furniture, there being a cushion on the portion of the frame so extended;

(c) and retractile leg means selectively depended from and to support the side of the extended portion of the frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of the frame.

4. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seat height top, and including:

(a) a pair of spaced horizontally disposed and parallel guide flanges disposed in a common plane beneath said top;

(b) a frame with spaced and parallel runners slideabl y engaged with said guide flanges respectively, to move forwardly from a position underlying the top to a position extending from the top and having a front disposed right angularly with respect to the first mentioned front of the unit of'furniture;

(c) a back carried by the frame and shiftable to move from a storage position overlying the extensible portion of the frame to an erected position parallel to the front of the frame and projecting upward at one side of the frame right angularly disposed with respect to the front of the unit of furniture;

(d) and retractile leg means selectively depended from and to support the side of the extended portion of the frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of the frame.

5. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seat height top and a pair of depending side rails, and includmg:

(a) a pair of spaced horizontally disposed and parallel guide flanges carried by the said rails disposed in a common plane beneath said top;

(b) a frame with spaced and parallel runners slideably engaged with said guide flanges respectively, to move forwardly from a position underlying the top and having a front disposed right angularly with respect to the first mentioned front of the unit of furniture and carrying a retractile closure extending between the side rails of the unit of furniture, and said frame being extensible to a position displaced laterally from the top, there being a cushion on the portion of the frame so extended;

(c) and retractile leg means selectively depended from and to support the side of the extended portion of the frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of the frame.

6. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seat height top, and a pair of depending side rails, and including:

(a) a pair of spaced horizontally disposed and parallel guide flanges carried by the said rails disposed in a common plane beneath said top;

(b) a frame with spaced and parallel runners slideably engaged with said guide flanges respectively, to

move forwardly from a position underlying the top and having a front disposed right angularly with respect to the first mentioned front of the unit of furniture and carrying a retractile closure extending between the side rails of the unit of furniture, and said frame being extensible to a position displaced laterally from the top;

(c) a back carried by the frame and shiftable to move from a storage position overlying the extensible portion of the frame to an erected position parallel to the front of the frame and projecting upward at one side of the frame right angularly disposed with respect to the front of the unit of furniture;

(d) and retractile leg means selectively depended from and to support the side of the extended portion of the frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of the frame.

7. A chair retractably extensible from the front of a unit of furniture having a horizontally disposed seat height top, and a pair of depending side rails, and including:

(a) a pair of spaced horizontally disposed and parallel guide flanges carried by the side rails disposed in a common plane beneath said top;

(b) a frame with spaced and parallel runners slideably engaged with said guide flanges respectively, to move forwardly from a position underlying the top and having a front disposed right angularly with respect to the first mentioned front of the unit of furniture and carrying a retractile closure extending between the side rails of the unit of furniture and said frame being extensible to a position displaced laterally from the top, there being a cushion on the portion of the frame so extended;

(c) a back carried by the frame and shiftable to move from a storage position overlying the said cushion on the frame to an erected position parallel to the front of the frame and projecting upward at one side of the frame right angularly disposed with respect to the front of the unit of furniture, there being a cushion on the said back;

((1) and retractile leg means selectively depended from and to support the side of the extended portion of the frame remote from the unit of furniture which supports the other side of the extended portion of the frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,1 17,686

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primury Examiner. J. T. MCCALL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CHAIR RETRACTABLY EXTENSIBLE FROM THE FRONT OF A UNIT OF FURNITURE HAVING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SEAT HEIGHT TOP, AND INCLUDING: (A) A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED SUPPORT MEANS CARRIED BENEATH SAID TOP; (B) A FRAME SLIDEABLY ENGAGED WITH THE SUPPORT MEANS TO MOVE FORWARDLY FROM A POSITION UNDERLYING THE TOP TO A POSITION EXTENDING FROM THE TOP AND HAVING A FRONT DISPOSED RIGHT ANGULARLY WITH RESPECT TO THE FIRST MENTIONED FRONT OF THE UNIT OF FURNITURE; (C) A BACK CARRIED BY THE FRAME AND SHIFTABLE TO MOVE FROM A STORAGE POSITION OVERLYING THE EXTENSIBLE PORTION OF THE FRAME TO AN ERECTED POSITION PARALLEL 